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Greater Manchester’s oldest bakery Robinson’s has gone up for sale
The owners confirmed the news in a Facebook post
The family run Greater Manchester bakery Robinson’s, established in 1864, has gone on the market.
Established 159 years ago in Harpurhey before moving to its Failsworth location in 1959, Robinson’s bakery has lived through two world wars and most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic.
But amid rising costs, the owners of Robinson’s have now decided the time has come to put the bakery up for sale.
Run by David Robinson and his family, the bakery has long been the go-to place for baked goods including bread and its famous Manchester tart.
But David, who has worked at the bakery for 53 years, has called time on the business and is ready to hand up his apron and hat to Retire.
His daughter Grace, who works there alongside him, has decided it’s also time for her to pursue other things.
Over the weekend the family posted on their Facebook Page to announce the news which read: “Well the time has come for us put our bakery up for sale. As crazy as this is, as we are busier than ever, it is the right decision for us as a family.
“Mum and Dad are ready to retire and the chance of a lifetime has come my way.
“Don’t worry, we will be here, doing exactly what we do best, for as long as it takes to find the right new people to guide our fabulous team in to the future and be part of our amazing community here in Failsworth.
“If this is you, or know someone it would be perfect for please get in touch!
“Grace, Emma, Sue and David.”
As reported in the Manchester Evening News, last year the bakery was hit with staggering costs with the sharp rise in energy bills and food ingredient prices.
David told the news outlet at the time the potential hike in the businesses energy bills could be a ‘suicide note’ for the bakery.
He added that ‘serious intervention’ from the government was needed if businesses were to survive the winter amid increasing costs of fuel and food products.
At the time, energy bills for the bakery cost around £18,000 per year but as their energy was up for renewal in October, they were told their bills would increase to around £72,000 — a 400% rise.
However, David was told that of he didn’t sign up to the six-month increase then his bills could potentially go up to a staggering £270,000.
speaking to the M.E.N. David said: “It can’t possibly go on like this, it’s ridiculous. We’re just keeping our fingers crossed and hoping the next Prime Minister and Chancellor will get together and do something to stop the prices going up to these levels, but we’re not holding our breath.
“Liz Truss was asked a question about this at one of these hustings recently where she said she would reduce corporation tax to help business. But I’ve never heard such nonsense as we and countless others don’t make that kind of profit in the first place.
“Others, including many pubs, are suggesting reducing VAT which could help them but it wouldn’t help us as we only do food and we reclaim that VAT anyway. We can take bills going up a reasonable amount but this is totally unreasonable.
“As soon as these increases hit all hell is going to break loose for businesses, they [government] have got to do something about it. I’ve had sleepless nights since I got these letters to be honest and the only advice I’ve been given is to hang fire for three or four weeks to see what happens.
“But I can’t sign up to this, it would be a suicide note for the business. We couldn’t afford £72,000 let alone £270,000, we’ve got 22 staff to look after too.”
A Government spokesperson said: “No national government can control the global factors pushing up the price of energy, but we will continue to support business in navigating the months ahead.
“This includes doubling our support for high energy usage businesses, reducing employer national insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance, slashing fuel duty, introducing a 50% business rates relief and putting the brakes on bill increases by freezing the business rates multiplier – worth £4.6 billion over the next five years.”
News
Tributes pour in after body of ‘lovely’ missing man found by police
People have been posting their tributes to Charlie online
Heartfelt tributes have been flooding in across social media platforms after the body of a 26-year-old man from Stockport was discovered by police.
Charlie Johnson, 26, was last seen at around 11.30pm in the Cheadle Hulme area of Stockport on Thursday, September 21st.
Greater Manchester Police launched an appeal to the public to help find him but sadly, officers confirmed they had discovered a body on Tuesday, September 26th during the search.
His next of kin have been informed and a file was passed on to the coroner.
Detective Inspector Michael Jimenez, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “Our thoughts remain with Charlie’s family at this difficult time, and we have specialist officers in place to support them. Thank you to those who shared our appeals.”
Following the tragic news, tributes have been paid online to honour the life of the ‘superb sportsman’ described by those who knew him as ‘a lovely lad’.
AFC Stockport, who Charlie briefly played for last season, posted on Facebook: “It is with sad news that today we say RIP to Charlie Johnson who briefly played for the club last season.
“Charlie netted 9 goals in 7 appearances for our Rangers team. RIP Charlie – Our thoughts are with your family and friends.”
And Bosden Farm FC, based in Stockport, wrote on their Twitter page: “It is with great sadness we report the news on the passing of Charlie he was a huge part of Bosden Farm and was loved by everyone who met him.
“We will miss him so much. We send our condolences to his friends and family and ask that you respect their privacy at this moment in time.”
Upon hearing the sad news, Mary Brooks-Davies wrote: “Heartbroken. Charlie was such a lovely lad, remember him well when he was at primary school with my daughter. Love and gentlest hugs to his family xxxx.”
In a tribute to Charlie, Badhrul Islam wrote: “Taught him as a lad. Can genuinely say none of my colleagues had a bad word to say.
“PE teachers remember him being a superb sportsman with a great attitude. Really well liked all round. Worked with his dad who was a thoroughly nice man. This is desperately sad news.”
Rachel Taylor wrote: “Thinking of all your family and friends at this sad time, RIP Charlie xx.”
And Callum Lawson wrote: “R.I.P Charlie.”
News
Three Wilko stores in Greater Manchester reopening as Poundland this weekend
Three out of the 10 stores set to reopen this weekend are in Greater Manchester
This weekend, three former Wilko stores will reopen as Poundlands in Greater Manchester.
Following the collapse of Wilko last month, 10 stores are set to reopen as Poundland outlets this weekend, after being bought out by the budget retailer.
Poundland owner Pepco agreed to purchase 71 Wilko stores from administrators PwC earlier this month.
The company plans to rebrand and open them under its own by the end of the year.
Another rival retailer, B&M, bought 51 Wilko stores in a deal of around £5 million, and plans to also reopen them under its own brand.
In Greater Manchester, the three Wilko locations which will be reopening as new Poundland sites are at The Mall on Church Street in Eccles, The Peel Centre, on Great Portwood Street in Stockport, and on Lord Street, in Leigh.
The seven other sites set to reopen this weekend are across Stafford, Nelson, Barking, Southport, Maidenhead, Jarrow and Scunthorpe.
Family-owned company Wilko ran 400 shops and employed around 12,500 staff when it brought in administrators PwC last month. The company, which was founded in 1930, folded under the pressure of cuts in consumer spending, due to the cost-of-living crisis, and debts owed to suppliers.
All Wilko stores will close resulting in thousands of staff redundancies, as its remaining shops shut on October 8th.
Poundland has encouraged Wilko staff to apply for new job roles with its chain and have assured them they will be made a priority.
News
Lee Rigby’s son raises five times his target for children’s bereavement charity
You can help supercharge Jack’s efforts
The determined 13-year-old son of Lee Rigby has managed to raise over £50,000 for charity in memory of his father.
Jack Rigby started off with the hope of raising £10,000, as last May was the 10th anniversary of his dad’s tragic murder, but he managed to smash that target and raise more than £50,000.
The young lad completed a marathon walk for Scotty’s Little Soldiers – a charity that supports children bereaved of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
The charity has been by Jack’s side supporting him as he has been forced to grow up without his dad.
All funds raised by Jack will go to the vital charity but now, the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, want to help him double his total money raised to £100,000 – and they are asking for the help of the public to do so.
A secret GoFundMe page has been set up to surprise the teenager with a boost to the £54k he has already raised.
Jack’s mum Rebecca told the Mirror: “Jack was so excited to see the amount grow and seeing how much each donation made him smile meant the world to me.
“He and I read all the messages of support and were thankful for them all. We honestly couldn’t believe how kind and generous people were being.
“We never dreamt that the fundraiser would do as well as it did and we are thankful to each and every person who donated and sent messages.”
Lee Rigby, originally from Crumpsall, North Manchester, was killed by Islamic extremist terrorists outside Woolwich barracks on May 22nd, 2013. He was 25 years old.
His son, Jack, was just two when his dad’s life was taken.
The schoolboy from Halifax, West Yorkshire, said: “I feel proud doing the May Marathon in honour of my dad. It also helps distract me from everything. Going on a long walk is a nice break and reminds me it’s not all bad.”
Rebecca added: “Jack wanted to do something positive in memory of his dad. He wants to show how even though he’s grown up without Lee, he’s not forgotten his dad.”
The charity has meant so much to Jack over the years that he has even named his dog ‘Scotty’ after it.
If you’d like to help Jack in raising money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity, you can make a donation to the GoFundMe page by clicking HERE.
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Tributes pour in after body of ‘lovely’ missing man found by police
Three Wilko stores in Greater Manchester reopening as Poundland this weekend
Lee Rigby’s son raises five times his target for children’s bereavement charity
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